Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

William D (Dunn) Longstaff was born this date, 11/26/1822 at Sunderland, Durham, England. He was a philanthropist and friends with the founder of the Salvation Army, William Booth, with Dwight L Moody, and Ira D Sankey. Longstaff is remembered now for his hymn, “Take Time to Be Holy” but wrote a number of other hymns which appeared in the Salvation Army’s paper, The War Cry, in the 1880’s. He died 4/2/1894 at Cambridge Terrace, Sunderland, Durham, England.

Written by Rodney Simon “Gipsy” Smith. Gipsy (also spelled “Gypsy”) Smith was born in a gipsy tent near London, England in 1860; he was “born again” (John 3.3) this date in 1876. Smith worked with the Salvation Army (had high regard for William Booth), with the Methodist, and evangelised among several other groups. He made five preaching trips to America as well as preaching in Australia.